Another exciting semester has begun at Queens University of Charlotte and for the PGM program. Last night Eric Baldwin (program director) and Ted Nilsson (program assistant) met with some 40 PGM students, PGA Instructors and program supporters.  For freshmen and transfers, this was the first opportunity to meet the other students in the program and their instructors.  More importantly, it was a time for everyone to catch up after their summer internships.

Many of the students shared experiences from their summers.  Predictably, each student had highs and challenges during their summer employment.  One bit of exiting news was shared by Andrew Serketich (class of ‘07).  Although summer is over, his responsibilities are still on-going.  Andy will be attending the Ryder Cup as the final part of his summer internship as he assists with a corporate outing organized by Great Golf Moments.

Eric Baldwin announced that Nick Ondriska, another senior has been promoted to the Head Professional position at Cramer Mountain Country Club.  Nick has worked as 1st Assistant at Cramer for 6 months.  Cramer Mountain is well known for it’s greens.  Many PGA Tour players visit Cramer before the Master’s to practice on the lightning fast putting surfaces.

After announcements and introductions, it was time to get down to business – Eating!  Pizza’s for the meeting were provided by Russell Muller.  Russell will graduate from Queens UNiversity of Charlotte this December.  He has used his PGM experiences and skills to open two businesses in Charlotte, one being a restaurant.  Russell is planning on opening his second eatery later this year. Instructors and students then had the opportunity to meet and discuss the final logistics of their class.  As active members of the PGA, our instructors recognize the value of time management.  The students are encouraged to dedicate time to their academic majors and then focus on PGM.

Additionally, scheduled events for the fall and spring semester were discussed. As usual, the PGM program will attend the PGA Show in Orlando, Florida this January.  Also, our students will have the chance to play Quail Hollow County Club, (home of the Wachoiva Championship), Pinehurst and Long View Country Club, (voted best new private club in NC).  The students are thrilled about these opportunities.

Another reason for excitement is the announcement that Queens University of Charlotte will be the site for District VI, PGA checkpoint review sessions. This means Queens University will be the center for many aspiring golf professionals of the future.  To complement this announcement, a PAT (player ability test) support program is being instituted. 

More exciting developments are just around the corner for the Queens University of Charlotte PGM Program, but for now, its just great to get everyone back into the swing of things!

The Masters 2006 — In its efforts to strive to be an educational resource and community asset, Queens University of Charlotte continues to make considerable efforts to offer students a wide variety of academic programs, majors, and experiences. One of its unique and expanding programs is its Professional Golf Management Program, led by Director Eric Baldwin. A year and a half ago, the program had nine students, but for the upcoming 2004-2005 academic year, Baldwin is expecting 13 returning students and 18 new students. This new class of PGM students has an interesting composition, as the majority is from the Northeastern United States and three are international students from Ireland, Mexico, and China.

Once again, The PGM program had the opportunity to watch the practice round at The Masters. It was a small group who gathered at 6.00 AM and started the drive down to Augusta, Georgia. It turned out to be a beautiful day, clear skies, sun shining and about 82 degrees. The first stop was the merchandise shop where we fought our way through and got great gifts. Then, to far exceed our expectations, we got a first glimpse of the golf course. It really is a view that is unexplainable and watching the Masters on TV does not give the course justice. Just taking a first step on to the grass amazes you since it is in such impeccable shape and color. I almost didn’t want to step on the grass as it felt I would damage it. Overcoming that fear, we decided to take a look at the back nine. Every hole is so spectacular and it is an experience just to watch the layout and the condition of the course. I almost did not see Tom Watson teeing off as I was taken by the splendid view of the course.

Watching The Masters on TV does not give the viewer a clear picture of the hills and undulation that is ever present at Augusta National. The tee shot on number ten is much more down hill than you might think, probably dropping some 100 feet. Then looking at the par 4 number eleven, now 505 yards and moving along Amen Corner gives you a much greater appreciation of how difficult this course is. After watching Justin Leonard hitting some wedge shots around number 15 green we decided to break for some lunch. It is not expensive. A sandwich is about $2 and a drink in a special hard plastic cup is $1.50. Later we walked over to number 16 to see Tom Lehman and Ben Crane bring a youngster onto the tee box to hit a shot. Tom and Ben then skipped shots over the water on to the green, a tradition at the Masters and something you will not see on TV. We then walked the front and saw Nick Faldo, Chris DiMarco, David Toms and many others. We finished our trip by taking a closer look at the clubhouse and then spent some time by the practice tee watching the professionals practice.

Nick Faldo		Augusta National Club House

	PGM students and staff at Augusta National in Georgia

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (August 24, 2004)

What does the program entail? The goal of the program is to prepare students to enter a golf-related profession. There are several requirements, the first of which allows students to choose any academic major, but must minor in Business Administration. Students then complete eight PGM classes, three summer long internships, as well as 16 of 24 seminars offered within the program. There are two different seminars offered: “Inside the Ropes,” which focuses on the golf industry, and “Outside the Ropes,” which focuses on skill sets that transcend the golf industry and are valuable to students no matter what industry they choose.

By May 2004, PGM students had completed nine internships at the PGA Tour’s Wachovia Championship, which is held at Quail Hollow Country Club in Charlotte. Also in May 2004, the program graduated its first three students, and all three are successfully employed in the golf industry. This spring, seven PGM students had the privilege of visiting and playing at Augusta National in Georgia.

This past summer, several students completed some notable internships. One student interned at the PGM program’s home course, Ballantyne Resort (which also hosts the Dana Rader School of Golf), and at Tega Cay Golf Club (the program’s secondary facility), and one at Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin, the site of the 2004 PGA Championship.

Eric Baldwin, Director of the PGM program, acts as primary admissions counselor and the students’ primary advisor. He oversees the curriculum and continually manages as well as develops relationships with the golf courses, golf professionals, and companies in the golf industry. Woody Allen acts as the Internship Coordinator and a number of golf Professionals act as faculty in the program.

Baldwin comments, "One of our program's strengths is the support from the golfing community in Charlotte. Our students are being given the opportunity to have real hands-on experiences. They are building skills that will make them the leaders in the golf industry."